In the UK, 24.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, a percentage representing 2.1 million children. Many children across the country depend on this statutory benefit for their daily nutrition, often facing food insecurity during school holidays. This can lead to an increase in escalating behaviours and negative mental health outcomes. This article aims to highlight the connection between food insecurity and behavioural escalation in children, and provide insight into how teachers and school staff can better support these vulnerable students.
What is Food Insecurity?
Food insecurity is the lack of reliable access to sufficient, affordable, and quality food. For some, it can mean not knowing where your next meal is coming from, or having to choose between food and other essentials. When it comes to children, food insecurity can greatly impact their physical and mental health, academic performance, and overall well-being.
During UK term time, schools provide free school meals to disadvantaged pupils between 5 and 16 years old, ensuring children receive at least one balanced meal each day. However, during school holidays, these children often experience food insecurity, as the support they rely on is no longer available.
Understanding Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (1943) is a psychological theory that suggests our basic needs – like food and shelter – must be met before we can achieve higher-level goals such as safety, love and self-esteem. According to Maslow, these needs must be met for an individual to reach their full potential. For children especially, having regular access to food is foundational to growth. Without it, their ability to feel safe, build relationships, and thrive in both school and at home is compromised.
Unmet Needs Within The Crisis Cycle
The Crisis Cycle, one of the models used in the Timian Programme, illustrates how individuals respond to stress and how their behaviour may escalate through different phases. Here’s an example of how it works as it relates to a child experiencing food insecurity:
Baseline Phase: The child is calm and functioning normally.
Stimulus/Trigger Phase: Something disrupts their calm state – like missing meals.
Lower/Higher Escalation Phase: Stress builds, leading to increased irritability and emotional reactivity.
Crisis Phase: The child loses control, potentially becoming aggressive or withdrawn.
De-escalation Phase: Gradual reduction in intense emotions.
Stabilisation Phase: Return to a calmer state.
Post-Crisis Drain Phase: The child may feel exhausted and need time to recover.
When considering the relationship between Maslow’s Hierarchy and the Crisis Cycle, it becomes clear that when basic needs such as nutrition are unmet, a child’s well-being and behaviour is negatively impacted. In the case of a child who relies on free school meals for regular nutrition, this now-unmet physiological need can trigger a stress response.
The stress and anxiety caused by food insecurity can manifest in various ways, such as irritability, difficulty concentrating, and increased emotional reactivity. As a child’s hunger continues, they may move upward into the escalation phase, showing more disruptive behaviours like aggression or withdrawal. If the food insecurity remains unaddressed, the child may reach the crisis phase, experiencing a complete loss of control and potentially engaging in harmful behaviours towards themselves or others.
Research Findings
Research supports this connection. For example, a study by Kirkpatrick et al. (2012) found that food-insecure children were more likely to experience anxiety and depression. Additionally, food insecurity has been linked to behavioural problems in children, including aggression and hyperactivity (Belsky et al., 2010).
Conclusion
The lack of nutritious meals during school holidays can have a profound impact on a child who relies on free school meals, and understanding the link between food insecurity and behavioural escalation can help us better support children. Understanding the relationship between Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and the Crisis Cycle can help educators and caregivers recognise the importance of addressing basic needs, such as food security, to support children’s well-being and prevent behavioural challenges.
Schools play a vital role in nurturing young minds. By partnering with Timian Learning and Development, you can create a safe and positive space where everyone thrives. Browse our website for upcoming in-person training near you, or contact us to arrange on-site de-escalation and positive behaviour support training.
References
Belsky, J., Moffitt, T. E., Arseneault, L., Melchior, M., Caspi, A., & Silva, P. A. (2010). Food insecurity in the first three years of life and behavioural problems in childhood and adolescence. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 51(7), 791-798.
Kirkpatrick, S. E., McIntyre, L., & Potestio, M. L. (2012). Food insecurity and mental health: A systematic review. Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 21(4), 276-282.
Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50(4), 370-396.
